The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-09-17
Restricted Immigration.

|
immigration Is becoming too much OF a
good thing for this country, and that the
immigration'laws should be thoroughly re-
vlsed, with the view Of regulating the
coming Of foreigners 10 our shores. The
reasons urged against unrestricted immi.
grafton are, first, the great increase os
crime which is directly traceable 10 that
element In our population proved ~ be
alien = our institutions and unused 10 our
Iajmosrhcre # hhor'y. The statistics cot
| lated 10y Rev. Frederick IL. Wines indicate
an alarming increase Of crime ever since
Immigrants began ~ CCme from Europe In
great numbers. This authority has made
| IL pretty evident that In seven States, con
taiaing nearly 100000 of the population
| OF the United States, there has been pro-
! portiOnal increase of commitments - State
prisons and penitentiaries, from 1870 10
| 1880, vastly greater than the growth In pop
ulatlon.
In New York City, where immigrants
delight 10 herd together, instead of going
westward, the police last year made i4O35
arrests, which gives enc arrest for every 20
persons. Making allowance for those who
were arrested more than once, We can still
assume that one out of every - WAS arrest.
who had committed crimes hut have es-
capped the clutches of tie law is net known
This is record that should move the seri-
alton Of an efficient and speedy remedy.
Secondly, the increase Of the death rate
in the United States, and especially in New
York, Is SAID 10 be largely due 10 unre.
siricted immigration. Dr.. Eklund, of Stock
/ h,,lr OBJ tha .h.s
the infants dying under one year OF aye is
twenty five per cent of all deaths. He al
tributes this high death rate in America
e the fact that "the European defective
classes, whose natali,y and infantiie death
rates are enormous, ale forcibly exported
in great numbers To this country"
The Wedicdl Rsc0rG virtually indOrses
his statement by acknowledging that "it Is
very true that the number OF our sick and
defective classes are enormously swollen Ey
the immense tide of immigration. II Is
safe 10 say that four ifths of the Infant
mortality Is among the children Of the im-
migrants
Thirdly, 1t is said in favor Of restricted
immigration that the INN grants uppurtu-
nifty for getting employment is now less
than II was fifteen years ago, when there
was much railroad building aud great IT,
Oustrial expansion. This is not 50 easily
proved as the first two statements. For il
! Is absurd To shy that amau's opportunity To
obtain work is less now because fewer rail
roads are in process of construction, when
there is plenty Of capital lying Idle wait
ing for good investments, and IN immense
tract OF country ready 10 receive the plOw
of the sober ana industrious husbindman.
. The reason why a labcring man has not the
same chance 10 make a living now as he
did fifteen yea S ago Is because Of the dis
turhances in the labor market--the strikes,
the baycottings, and the attacks On others
right to work, Of which labor organizations
have been guilty The fault, then lies in
the character OF workmen themselves, ard
net in the supposed industrial decline of
this growing country. But, as the lately
arrived Immigrant is generally Tie most
disconnected of lahCreIs, the conclusion is
easily reached that unrestricted immigrG
, ton IS chargeable with most Of the labor
ItroUDles, which have resulted disastrously
I fer laborer and capitalist alike, although
the latter can staau Il much longer than the
former,
In view of these facts, there can be
hardly any difference of opinion concern.
, ny the RCrG9SttB Of building u breakWater
tc resist the tide of immigration by legis-
lat!ye enactmcnts ard rigorous execution
II the same, But m regard 10 the minor
details the mod1s opcydRdf, there Is likely
20 be much diversity Of opinion. We do
not wish 10 exclude those industrious and
sober people whose intention il TO seek
honest work in America. On the other
hard, Uncle Sam decidedly objects Ia hav.
ing bis substance eaten up, and tie safety
ii his house threatened by organ grinders,
beggars, Iramps, socialists, anarchists, and
ether parasites Of society. We must draw
the line somewhere. 1t is ri 10 deter.
mine where we ought to draw 1t, bat how
TO make the rule work Is another matter.
II would be the wiser part to leave the de-
tails to those who have given the subject
the most careful consideration We would
simply and humbly suggest that our con
sular service can be expanded SO rs 10 In.
clude among its duties that Of ascertaiuing
and certifying 10 the condition, character,
and intentions of all who desire to come 10
America in the quality Of immigrants
sciCntifc IWeWcdR
The annual reunion Of the 12ivh Regi-
Itt,r. " I...f.l y. =